I went trout fishing again this morning since Skeeterguy seems to have the fish at Rhodhiss at his command. I went to Steele's creek. I haven't fished there in more than 20 years. I managed to catch two small rainbows and nine nice browns. All of these fish are native, wild trout and four of the browns were in the 10-12" range. I had a good time until I started to hop from one rock cropping to another and while in mid-jump noticed a large snake lying right where my foot was going to land. Now I had to choose between landing on the rock and probably the snake too or falling potentially 8-10 feet. I am afraid of snakes and so I turned in mid-air and landed hard on the side of the rock and sort of became wedged between the two rock formations. Man the rocks are hard up here! I made it back out okay, but my right ribcage is really, really sore. I may have a cracked rib, but I don't know. It hurts, but it will heal. One thing is for sure, crappie fishing is less hazardous, but I still enjoyed being back in the back country catching those wild beauties. I released all of the fish basically unharmed as I definitely prefer crappie fillets over trout. Other than the sore ribs I had a great time. Going to get back to the crappie soon. Good luck to all and remember cooler days are coming!

chug, I used to love taking my family to Steele Creek to the campground for swimming. For the life of me I can't remember the name of it...but if you are going up 181 from where the road to Wilsons Creek comes out..its on the left. Maybe Steel Creek Campground? That is a pretty creek. If you want to see some snakes...run over to Collettsville, and go up to the Johns River...used to be good trout fishing...but so snakey.

thats not funny chugbug but the hard rocks got me those ribs are really going to be sore i bet good luck on healing

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;here; fishie ,fishie

Hey Poppop. Your memory is perfect. It is Steele Creek Campground. I was about five miles up from there. I will leave the snakes alone if I can help it. I have kind of been hitting some of my old haunts. I have now fished Steele's and Upper Creeks. I hope to get to Harper's creek before bow season begins. I know you like to deer hunt. Are you ready for the upcoming season?

It's okay to laugh painterfish. If it didn't hurt I would laugh myself. Thanks for the well wishes. Good luck and tightlines!

Chug, I hadn't made many preperations yet for deer season...all my feeders and stands are hung, just got to be able to afford some corn to put in them. I don't do any bowhunting until about the second week of October. i am thinking seriously about just keeping corn in one feeder for when the grandkids can hunt, and start hunting some funnels and pinch points out of a climber. I have some big deer and I need to get away from the permanent stands and change my plans somewhat.

Hey Poppop. I hear you on that corn thing. I can't believe how much it costs now. I still haven't hung my stands, but my feeders have been up since June. I bought a new PSE Stinger bow this year and I can't wait to hit the woods with it. I don't have a lot of natural funnels or pinchpoints where I hunt so I kind of have to depend on the corn to see deer on a regular basis. When we go to Granville County for the November muzzleloader season I will have my best chance at a nice buck. Anyway good luck and I hope you get a nice one.

I dont know about 'native' bc of their orgin, but them wild fish sure are perdy and fun. Glad ya got one some fish. Aint trout fished since college

Going up to the Toe River this weekend if the hairycane doesn't mess it up and try to catch a few trout in the river---dont know much about it --any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks Knappy

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GET THE NET -- IT'S A NICE ONE!

Knappy if you are going up to "Wild Trout" section of the Toe River where you can use any single hook artificial lure then I suggest the Joe's Fly-Spinners. I have been using the Royal Coachman and Joe's Special in the #10 size. Be sure to remove the trailing treble hook to be legal. With the drought and the heat of summer on every creek I have fished the trout are mostly in the deeper holes that have a whitewater inflow. The long slow stretches have been void of fish for me. Just put that little spinner at the head of the pool and retrieve it just fast enough to keep it spinning. I use one of my crappie spincast reels with 4# test line and a light rod. If that doesn't work, try the old standby of a small black roostertail with a silver blade. If the hurricane does come and stains the water, then go with gold blades with brown and orange in the body. My old rule is silver in clear water, gold in stained water. I haven't seriously trout fished in more than 20 years, but all my old tactics are working this summer. I went this afternoon after work to the South Mountain State Park C&R waters and managed a couple of decent brownies before dark. Good luck if you go and I hope you have a great time. Oh yeah, be sure and fish upstream and not down. That way you bring the lure the way they expect food to come and it's more natural for them.